As previously reported, a marine aquarium named “Ocean Berlin” is scheduled to open in Rummelsburg Bay in 2026, marketed as a “state-of-the-art marine park”.
The construction of aquariums such as “Ocean Berlin” drives the destruction of coral reefs: 99 per cent of the marine ornamental fish in major European aquariums are wild-caught. The capture and transport of these marine organisms result in numerous fatalities. Up to 80 per cent of coral reef fish caught die before they even arrive at the aquarium. This is compounded by technical issues in aquariums, species incompatibility, and the rapid spread of pathogens within a closed system. Dead animals are usually replaced without visitors noticing. Consequently, every newly built aquarium contributes massively to the exploitation of the oceans.
The three organisations PETA Deutschland, ElasmOcean e.V. and the Swiss Fondation Franz Weber have now written once more to the Berlin-Lichtenberg district government, the political groups, and the responsible veterinary authority. In this letter, we demand that the operating company Ozean Berlin (CWB) GmbH be denied a permit for animal keeping. The basis for this is the shocking number of mortalities at the sister aquarium in Maui, Hawaii. According to a document published in December 2024, 548 out of 802 collected coral fish (68 per cent) in that aquarium died within one year (2021–2022). For several species, 100 per cent of all individual animals died within a few weeks. Ocean Berlin is a death trap for both Osteichthyes and Chondrichthyes. At least as many mortalities are to be expected in the new aquarium as at Maui Ocean. Granting a permit for animal keeping would mean tacitly accepting the deaths of hundreds of animals annually. This must not be allowed to happen.
In December 2024, all three organisations addressed these figures directly to Ozean Berlin (CWB) GmbH and requested a statement. In a written reply, the company confirmed that the use of wild-caught specimens is indeed planned. Drawing on years of experience, we know this applies primarily and specifically to sharks and rays.
We renew our appeal to the City of Berlin to refuse Ozean Berlin (CWB) GmbH a permit for animal keeping, and particularly for wild-caught individuals. Tropical marine fish, sharks, and rays do not belong in Rummelsburg Bay.
Sources:
Maui Ocean Center touts marine conservation, but nonprofit says it repeatedly violates fish-taking permits with high mortality rates. Available online at: https://mauinow.com/2024/12/15/maui-ocean-center-touts-marine-conservation-but-nonprofit-says-it-repeatedly-violates-fish-taking-permits-with-high-mortality-rates/ (20.01.2025)
MOC Annual SAP Collection Report 2021–2022 – MORTALITIES: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/3dhtg8l5yxte6i8lg5u4b/5.c.-MOC-SAP-2022-Violations_Mortalities.docx?e=2
Pouil, S.; Tlusty, M. F.; Rhyne, A. L.; Metian, M.: Aquaculture of marine ornamental fish: Overview of the production trends and the role of academia in research progress. Rev. Aquac. 2020, 12, 1217–1230. (PDF) Aquaculture of marine ornamental fish: overview of the production trends and the role of academia in research progress
Cohen, F. P. A.; Walenti, W. C.; Calado, R. (2013): Traceability Issues in the Trade of Marine Ornamental Species. Fisheries Sciences 21(2): 98–111, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10641262.2012.760522
